Dynamic regulation of mitotic arrest in fetal male germ cells

Abstract

During fetal mouse development, germ cells enter the developing gonad at embryonic day (E) 10 -11. In response to signaling from the male or female gonad, the germ cells commit either to spermatogenesis at E12.5 and enter mitotic arrest or to oogenesis and enter meiotic arrest at E13.5. It is unclear whether male commitment of the germ line and mitotic arrest are directly associated or whether they are developmentally separate. In addition, the published data describing the timing of mitotic arrest are inconsistent, and the molecular processes underlying the control of the cell cycle during mitotic arrest also remain unknown. Using flow cytometric techniques, 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine labeling..